Treadmill running can be a nice change from outside heat and humidity.

One of the best things I bought last year was a treadmill. I'm an avid runner, but live in one of the world's hottest cities and, sometimes, I just don't feel like running outside. With heat, humidity and pollution that'll kill you, there are some days even I can't muster up enough energy to leave the comfort of my air conditioned apartment. That's where the treadmill comes in.

On days where the temperature is over 100 degrees and the humidity is unbearable, I'll occasionally run on the treadmill. It allows me to do an hour of hard running but be in a cool temperature. My treadmill is set up in the bedroom and is right in front of the TV. So I pop in a DVD, turn up the volume and I'm off. An hour whizzes by and I hop off energized and refreshed. If you're obsessed with running like I am, a treadmill can be the way to go.

I bought a low-end treadmill because I don't use it every day. I only paid $525 for it, but it has a heart monitor, good speed controls and folds up when I'm finished. It doesn't have incline controls or any of the fancy interval training controls but, because I only want it for an occasional run, it wasn't worth paying an extra $500 for these features. If you do want something fancier, they come with all the bells and whistles; workout programs, decline as well as incline controls, chest sensors, fans to keep you cool and a whole lot of other stuff.

What I love about the treadmill is the freedom it gives me. I don't have to worry about avoiding pedestrians or cars, don't have to be on the lookout for obstacles I might fall over, and I can watch TV or wear headphones without fear of injury or death. I wouldn't recommend a treadmill for running every day. I do find a treadmill harder on my feet than running outside. But, for the occasional run in comfort, they're a great thing to buy. Just make sure, if you buy one, you use it responsibly and don't overuse it, because that's when the injuries could start. A run on a treadmill four or five times a month though gives me a break from my regular routine and often leaves me raring to get back outside the following day, less annoyed with the heat and humidity. For only $525, it's the best money I ever spent.